Kelly

The unfortunate problem you have is that you have joined an association and thereby are restricted in what you can do (if you have the practising certificate).

There is no requirement to be part of an association, such as the ICB, but you do have to be registered for MLR and can do that via HMRC. This would then give you no restrictions on the work you can offer - you could even do an accountants role if you so wished!

Having said that, I do believe that being part of an association when self employed is important. I myself do not have a practising certificate as yet from ICB, as I do not have manual level 3 (working in it) but I do not need it yet as I work for private companies and with accountants under their supervision...

I do hope things pick up for you but until you get level 3, there's not much you can do, unless you go via the 'other' route.

P

James

This is an area where confusion does arise. I have been in accounts since 1991 and have dealt with sole traders, Ltd co's etc etc etc.

However in order to gain exemption, I needed 2 Accountants to qualify this! In that time, I have either worked within companies as FC/FD or whatever you wish to call it and only 1 accountant qualified under AIA.

I am completing the exams as I want to prove to myself I can do them but would I be eligible for exemption??

I do think the area of what you can and cannot do does need to be written in black and white, as the question has been raised many times on this forum alone.

P

Hi Philip,

Yes it does, and there is a section to be added to the website when the Members Directory goes live in October (did you read about that in InVoice?)

The 2 accountants are just to gain exemption from the examinations, you don't need to do a course if you have experience, you can go straight in and do the exams.

The reason for 2 is you would be supprised how often one accountant ticks everything, but the second disagrees. It is hard from both points of view, but in the end the ICB needs to make sure the applicant is not just good friends with an accountant.

Yes the directory is just for Practicing Members, but, there are thoughts to put in a member search, where members could upload their CV while looking for work. Probably won't happen until next year though I'm afraid.

Hi Kelly

Stay Positive

It takes time to build a client base (espicially in this climate). Have you looked at taking on a part time job while you build your practice?

Hi James;

Is it possible for Kelly to take on Ltd company work and for Kelly to pay a nearby MIP to check her work until Kelly gets her wings?

Dalbir

I think James from ICB presents the case really clearly.

If you have prior learning / experience this should stand you in good stead to take the ICB exams without the need to take a course. That's exactly what I'm doing. I'm a qualfied accounting technician with ACCA, I was even a fellow of the International Association of Bookkeepers. I wanted to join ICB because I liked its image as a professional association for bookkeepers.

Because all of my previous bookkeeping / accounting qualifications had been taken more than 2 years previously, I could not get exemptions on these. It was fair enough and this I didn't really mind. I've been happy to do the ICB exams and have been doing them over the past five months. I have not taken any courses, but have relied on my prior learning and current experience. In doing the exams I've actually learned a few new things as well. I particularly enjoyed the ICB Payroll Management diploma exam. Really learned a lot by taking that.

My original plan was to complete all my ICB exams within six months, take the self-assessment exam and then get my practice licence and professional indemnity insurance. So far, I'm on track to achieve this.

So, as James says, if you have prior learning, use it to take the exams without doing a course. There is a good sense of satisfaction at rattling through the exams purely on your own merits.

I think far too much space is taken up in this section of the book-keepers.org with what you need to do to pass an exam or get membership. If you have the knowledge, you're going to pass the exams. If you don't, then yes you'll need to do a course.

Legislation and accounting standards change quite regularly and any bookkeeper worth their salt is going to have to digest these changes quickly. Becoming a good bookkeeper is not about doing enough to pass exams, its about having solid experience of bookkeeping sufficient enough to leave clients confident in your abilities to keen their accounting records in good order. If you are confident in your own knowledge and abilities then you'll have the exams cracked and that confidence will be appreciated by your clients.

I've just got the Manual Level III Diploma to do. I take this on the 25th September and haven't even started studying for it yet. But two weeks will be more than enough 'revision' time if you've already got prior learning.

I don't think moaning about jumping through hoops to gain exemptions really serves any purpose, but that's just my view.

PS: I thought I'd better add that these comments are not in response to Kelly's initial query, but some of the other comments being made.

GrahamG

-- Edited by GrahamG on Wednesday 8th of September 2010 05:59:06 PM